Bonehead move no. 251

[Doug33]

It seems I pull some bonehead manuever on almost every single trip. I usually don't repeat stupid things, but invent new ways to be stupid each time out. Last weekend we got out for the first time this year and I pulled a whopper.

Last week I got the TT dewinterized and replaced the ultra thin plywood that was on the bunk beds (so thin I put my knee through it when leaning on it with no mattress in place). Then I got it all cleaned up, packed, and hooked up, so off we went. It was about an hour and a half trip to Elk Neck State Park in northeast Maryland. Upon arrival I backed into the site, got out, and noticed one of the Equalizer hitch sway and WDH bars was sticking about 30 degrees out from the TT frame, where it was supposed to be.

Back at home, dummy me got distracted when attaching the hitch mechanism, and apparently never got the right side bar clamped down propoerly. Furthermore I left the L bracket and linchpin on the frame of the TT and it must have fallen off somewhere on the road. When I got home I retraced my steps but couldn't find it anywhere (needle in a haystack).

At the CG, I looked on line and there were no RV parts stores anywhere near where I was staying, so I had two choices for the ride home: leave the right side bar off, or secure it some other way. since I was driving along I-95 with lots of large trucks, I decided to secure it by semi-loosely wrapping it with nylon rope, so that it stayed attached but was also loose enough to move back and forth as I turned. The Rube Goldberg contraption miraculously actually worked very well.

Yesterday I ordered two more L brackets from Equalizer to replace the one I lost, and now I'll have a spare in case/when I have another brain fart in the future.

Live and learn. I hope..... 😉

[Doug33]

Just for the record, I have been using this system for close to 10 years and this is the first time I pulled this bonehead maneuver. However, I have had many other "interesting" moments of idiocy.... 😉

[93Cobra2771]

My rule of thumb is that when I pull a pin, I keep it in my hand until it is properly secured. And before I leave, I do a final walk around, every time, looking at my hitch, the TT, windows, storage doors, entry doors, awning, etc etc.

This covers for any distractions I had while hooking up.

[beemerphile1]

When I bought my Equal-izer I also bought spare pins, clips, and bracket. I've never needed them.

[Doug33]

Come to think of it, I'm going to blame this all on DW. I'm pretty sure she was the one that distracted me. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

And dutchman - I never thought to go crying to a neighboring site. I've got to keep that one in my back pocket for next time! LOL

[Muddydogs]

Heres one for ya. Last fall I got to hunting camp, unhooked the toy hauler and since the dirt / gravel roads were wet and muddy I decided it would be a good idea to remove the hitch from the pickup. Well what I failed to remember is the receiver spacer they are putting in the new 2 1/2" hitches so a 2" draw bar will fit. 2 days after unhooking I realized the spacer was not setting in the bed of the truck and right away I knew what I had done. I retraced my steps but never did find the spacer. Turned out a few days later I shot a cow elk in warm temps so I ended up driving the 3 hours home to process the meat and pick up a new spacer so at least I didn't have to make the 6 hour round trip for just a spacer or tow home without it.
I did text my wife and had her call around in the local towns to see if anyone had the spacer but couldn't find one. Cell coverage in the area sucks so it is a challenge just to make contact with her.

[mtofell1]

I've got more bonehead moments than I have time to list here but what I can tell you is I've significantly reduced their frequency with one simple routine: Before I move the truck and trailer I walk around inspecting until I get a problem free lap. Basically, even if all I find is the rubber cover loose from the cable TV jack, I walk around one complete lap back to the last thing I found. I ALWAYS stop and look at the hitch setup to the point of being ridiculous.

[spoon059]

That's the best screw up you've got??? That's nothing! I borrowed my dad's class C about 8 years ago before he sold it... first night I forgot to properly secure the awning and drove off down the road. Got about 15 miles down the interstate before a gust of wind ripped the awning right off. Thanks be to God, somehow he cleared that busy interstate and the awning landed on bare road and didn't hurt or kill anyone else. I even had time to park and do the walk of shame to drag it out of the road.

One of the first trips with my new (to me) trailer, one of my neighbors "helped" himself to my L pins. I guess he lost or broke his. Had to drive home with no WDH bars. I bought some spare L pins and locked them up whenever they weren't in use from then on out.

[TucsonJim]

I've learned over the years that it is way too easy to get distracted and execute one of my own "bonehead" moves. The ramifications of missing a step can cost you money, or worse.

We used MS Excel to create a check list that we both work on together while hitching up. We both verify that each step is complete. It takes all the guess work out of hitching up, and makes us confident that we didn't miss something.

Although the check list is tailored for our personal FW set up, I'd be happy to send you a copy if you'd like to see an example. Just drop me a PM with your email address and I'll send it to you so you can edit it for your rig.

[HappyCampers3]

A lot of things can happen when we hitch up. That's why I never bother anyone when they are in their hitch mode. I know I've lost desire to tow, we went to permanent site two years ago and decided not to pull out for any trips this year. Scary things can happen out there. But be careful and safe and enjoy your travels.

[DutchmenSport]

When I first purchased my Equal-i-zer, I also purchased 2 extra L pins for this same reason. I also have a couple of those straight pins with the cotter pin in them in the event I loose one of those. I also carry extra pins for the receiver on the truck and since I use a locking hitch pin, I also have extra keys that work. I keep these in my camper tool box. So far, I've not had to use any of my spares. But one day ... you just never know. A guy named Doug33 may stop by my campsite with big tears in his eyes and I can give him one of my extra pins! That's what we do for each other you know!

[oldcat1]

X2 Mine would "creep" forward along the frame no matter how tight I made the set bolt. They are now attached to the frame with 4 heavy duty self tapping screws, two on top two on side. Safe travels.

[Wishbone51]

the bear II wrote:
We decided it must have vibrated loose on her trip back from Texas. I had a hard time getting it to lock onto the tongue of her trailer. I tightened the set bolt as tight as I could but it still seemed like it could pop off. The set bolt wasn't biting into the steel of the tongue.

I used to rely on the set bolt, but I find that it gets loose on occasion. It's now bolted to the frame as well as the set bolt.

[Doug33]

The new L bolts I ordered have the support pins welded to the bolts so you don't have to use the cotter pins (or potentially lose them).

[the_bear_II]

I was helping a neighbor hitch up her TT. When I hooked up one of the WDH bars to the bracket on the frame I noticed the bracket was loose. As soon as I put tension on the bar the L bracket popped off of the frame.

We decided it must have vibrated loose on her trip back from Texas. I had a hard time getting it to lock onto the tongue of her trailer. I tightened the set bolt as tight as I could but it still seemed like it could pop off. The set bolt wasn't biting into the steel of the tongue.